December 6, 2010--It's beginning to FEEL like Christmas! BRR!!

Hey Guys!

Wasn't that Christmas devotional wonderful last night? I absolutely love that President Uchtdorf pulled in the Grinch for us. He would. But He had a very good point about it all. It's so sad to see all the material things down here that people care for. They've got the money, so why not spend it. It's so sad. I'm grateful we get to share the gospel at such a beautiful time of year! Seeing all the Christmas decorations at the conference center last night made me really miss the snow! It's been really chilly down here. Especially for me. Twice this week I was so cold that my bones were hurting me. That's a bad sign.... Friday night I was in a lot of pain. My joints and bones hurt from being so cold. Saturday I could hardly walk because my left hip was just killing me. I took my anti-inflammatory and then had to ask the elders for some Tylenol (they live in the same complex as us). It dulled the pain, but didn't take it all away. I think sending my coat down would be a good idea. We always make fun of the people for wearing parkas, but I definitely need mine. Thanks!! I'm just really REALLY not looking forward to coming home in February of all months. I'm going to FREEZE, if not die.....

Like you see in my email to President we have had a great week! Our investigators are doing great and we have 2 with dates! Crystal, that came to the devotional last night, is outstanding. Sometimes it almost feels too good to be true, ya know...? We just keep praying for her and that everything will go as planned. Allison is going to be a little harder, but I love her SO much! She suffers from depression, so it is going to be more of a rollercoaster ride with her. We're going to help her understand the Atonement so that she can overcome depression. Please keep both of them in your prayers.

Like I also said I lose Sister Katterfeld this week. Tomorrow actually. I love her so so much! We clicked perfectly from the first second we were together. Haha yesterday I let her borrow my white jacket and blue polka dot skirt. I told her I must really love her because I've never let companions borrow my clothes before. Haha I do though! I love her SO much! I don't think she'll be able to call you--same rules apply to her as they do to me--but all you have to do is go to Temple Square and ask one of the other sisters. They'll find her easily for you. That's what I'll be doing in February....

We have our Christmas conference this week. Saturday is more of a migling and lunch and musical program. Sunday we have a special guest coming. They haven't told us who. The only thing they've said is that it's Sister Hales Behives advisor, "and her husband...." Sillies. They said no picture taking though on Sunday. Interesting. It must be like a celebrity or something! Lol...

The last picture is of me and Amber Perez. She is so amazing! I love her so much! She leaves on her mission this Wednesday. Her and Sister Katterfeld are actually on the same flight! She reports to the MTC Dec 15.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

Have a GREAT week!!!!

Love, Sister Denson

Sister Katterfeld, Hermana Guzman, Sister Barros

Sister Katterfeld and Sister Denson

Sister Katterfeld, Sister Denson, Hermana Guzman, Sister Barros

Sister Denson and soon-to-be-Sister Perez

President's email: "Miraculous Week"

President:

This has been such an amazing week. We have been working so hard for over a transfer now, with hardly any success. I know that it's all been a trial of my faith and how much I trust in the Lord. This week we were given so many blessings. We got a solid referral from Hollywood North elders a couple of weeks ago and we've taught her 4 times this week. Crystal is her name and she is so prepared. She knows that the Book of Mormon is true already. While we were teaching her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and before we were able to extend a date to her she asked what she has to do and when could she be baptized. It was so exciting! She wasn't able to come to church yesterday, but she came to the fireside and she absolutely loved it. She loved hearing from President Monson and being surrounded by such great young single adults.

Allison is the name of our other investigator. She is the girlfriend of an investigator of the Hollywood North sisters. She is really great and has a lot of faith. Funny thing is that the same thing happened to us when we visited her to extend a baptism date. She beat us to the chase too. And we weren't even behind because it was the first time that we visited her! Lol she feels the spirit so strongly as she meets with us and as we teach her about our Savior and His Atonement. We have great members that are helping so much with fellowshipping.

As you can probably guess I am not ready to give up my companion tomorrow. I love her with all my heart. We've definitely become life long friends. It's going to be especially hard to see her go. I love her so much President. She is such a fabulous missionary and a beautiful daughter of God.

I want to thank you and let you know how much I absolutely love serving in the YSA branch. I love these people so much and I am eternally grateful to be able to serve next to them. My heart and soul is in this work. I love being a missionary and I am fully committed to enduring to the end of my time as a full-time missionary.

I love you so much! I'm so grateful to serve with you!
I'll see you tomorrow.
Love, Sister Denson

November 29, 2010--AGH!!!!

So my package said not to open it until afternoon on Thankgiving. Needless to say my interest was peaked because I would squish the package but had no idea what it was. Becoming an aunt was the LAST thing I expected. It was 12:15. I grabbed the package and said I couldn't wait anymore! I opened it and saw the tiny snaps on the shirt and froze. I was just like, "Oh my gosh." Sister Katterfeld, "WHAT??"
Me, still staring out the window, standing frozen, "Oh my gosh." Jaw dropped.
Sister Katterfeld, "WHAT???!!!??!"
Me, starting in a regular tone to almost screaming, "My sister is PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Sister Katterfeld, "How do you know???"
I pulled it all out and was like, "I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!!!!!!!"
Needless to say all I wanted to do was shout it from the rooftops! Holy Cow! I am so excited! I can't stop thinking about it. Next time I see you all Mal will be like 5 months pregnant!!!! I always dreamed of it, but when I was at home and no one was pregnant I just figured it would happen after I got home the second time... I always thought it would be cool to see my sister pregnant when I walked off the plane. Oh my gosh. It's going to happen. Thinking about it right now I hardly have any words to say, except, "I'm going to be the coolest oldest aunt on our side EVER!!!!!!!" Haha I want to go to doctor appointments and help shop and I would be so honored to quilt the baby's room stuff! Holy Cow I'm about to cry right now!!! Tearing up! After being out here and seeing so many broken families (to put it mildly) I can't wait to have all these neices and nephews and the some of my own. They'll all be so blessed to be born and raised into the covenant. Okay, I'm officially crying in the public library! I don't care.

Needless to say, Thanksgiving was the best day ever! You all know how much I don't care for the dinners. We eventually got invited to two different homes. Elder and Sister Martin made a whole Thanksgiving feast for us Nova missionaries. Force feed #1. Then we went over to the Perez family's for dinner. Amber, their daughter in the YSA, is leaving for her mission the same day Sister Katterfeld leaves. Sad. But I love their family a lot. Brother Perez is the high councilman for our branch and he is there just about every week. Alex, from the branch was there. He baptized Hannah, so you can look back in the pictures (see October baptisms). He's the red head. He's the funniest kid ever. It made dinner a hoot! Force feed #2.

It was so fun to be with Sister Katterfeld for her first official American Thanksgiving. Obviously they don't celebrate it in Austrailia.

Last night we got to go to a members home that his mom is from Austrailia. She cooked us a leg of lamb. Sister Katterfeld was in Heaven. It was good, but I wouldn't order it for a menu item. But the dessert was awesome. Pulmova, or something like that. Fabulous! Not too sweet.

I hope you all have a fabulous week! Thanks so much for everything!

Love, Sister Denson

November 22, 2010--I've found the cure!!

Hey guys! Sounds like you've all had a good time this week/weekend. I have too!!!!

My new companion ROCKS! She's actually a temple square sister and she's from Austrailia! Yes, she sounds just like they do in the movies. Lol she has a lot of funny words though.... She got here while I was at home, so she only has three weeks left. She goes back to Salt Lake on December 8th. And we're pretty sure I am getting another Temple Square sister. Should be interesting! I'm excited! She's great though! We are a lot a like and where her weaknesses are are my strengths and vice versa.

It was a great first teaching experience for our companionship to teach Rev. Graf's classes. I can't tell you how much fun it was and how much I learned. Dad, it too will be one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. You just walk in there with confidence and tell them you purpose and what we have to share. They had a lot of great questions and a couple from each class was really excited to go to mormon.org.

Between that day, teaching and driving all day, packing Monday, p-day Tuesday, Transfers and moving Wednesday our week was pretty much consumed. It was great though. We have had a lot of fun. We live with Hermana Barros and Hermana Guzman. Hermana Barros and I were joking this morning that we've only got 2 foreign sister in the mission and we have both of them. Lol awesome!

Thanksgiving will be interesting this year, being in a singles ward and all. We aren't going to any homes. No one has invited us. We just joke that we're going to go hang out with the IHop workers. Lol it'll be interesting this year.....

Mom, I got the package finally. It's weird that the mail lady didn't catch that you didn't have a zip code on there. But they get a zip code from the computer. Oh well. I got it. My favorite part though was the pictures!!! They are so awesome!!!!! Is that the family one that you are buying? Because I don't like me in it. I look like crap. At least my head. Maybe you could switch mine out?? PLEASE!!!!! The sisters even told me I look way more "laughy" than every one else.....

I bought another Christmas Tree ornament this year. I got it from Macy's, but it's totally Florida appropriate. I'll send if off today.
I found a cure for my hair to become curly. Black girl curlers. My hair was so curly yesterday and STAYED curly!!! I felt like Goldielocks when we first took them out. The best part is is that I sleep with a slumber cap on. Every time we knock on a door and a black girl answers, she has a slumber cap on. It's to help keep their hair looking nice. It doesn't get messed up with one on.

I love you guys! Have a wonderful week!!! LOVE YOU!!

Love Sam
 

Sister Christensen, Sister Barros, Sister Felton, Sister Denson

Not sure of the Elders

November 16, 2010--Transfer #12

As I sort of mentioned in my email to President, Sister Christensen was sent home this morning. She has severe carpal tunnel in both hands and can't hardly function anymore. She is off to get surgery done, but we know she will come back a stronger, better missionary. As I too have. Please keep her in your prayers.


Hermana Felton came to us late Friday night and it has been SO fun to have four sisters in one companionship. LOL. We split all different ways. I have loved having her back and we have had some fun talks. And reminissing on the good ol' times of Kendall. I love her and admire her so much! I am going to miss her a lot!!! She's hopefully gotten into BYU Provo, and if she has, I'll see her in February! Yay!

We had a great day on Friday! We were able to have a member present lessons, get new investigators, extend and set baptismal dates, and help improve our members' faith. It was so great!!! Saturday though, of course, was hard. We went back down to 0 goals accomplished. That's the life of a missionary though. :)

Hermana Barros is also being transfered from this area, so tomorrow I get a new companion. I have NO idea who it will be, but I'm sure I'll be senior companion. That doesn't mean much, but I honestly don't know hardly any of the sisters in the mission any more. It's so weird. Sister Pirotta always said to me, "You know you're getting old in the mission when you don't even know half the missionaries." I never thought I'd get to that point, but it has officially come. I probably won't know anything about the sister that I get to serve with. So interesting!

Anyway--this Thursday is going to be a great way to start off the new transfer! We get to teach two World Religions classes at Broward College. Reverand Graff (the professor) has had the assistants teach these classes, when they get to Mormonism, for years, but this time he wants sisters. HAHA! The power of Sister Missoinaries!!! Woot woot! Anyway, it'll be a great way for me and my new companion to adjust to each others' ways of teaching, and we'll most definitely have to put our faith in Heavenly Father and pay very close attention to the spirit.

I am going to miss Hermana Barros so much! She makes me laugh ALL THE TIME!! She says the same about me though. LOL I just love her and admire her. I've wanted to serve with her since day one. We flew out together and I'm really glad I got to meet and serve with her.

I hope you all know how much I love being a missionary and how much I have a passion for The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know with all my heart He is MY Savior and Redeemer of the world. I have grown so much and it is only through Him that I have become a better person. The Book of Mormon changes lives. I've seen it change MANY lives, but most importantly my own.

I love you all so much and I hope you have a wonderful week!!

LOVE, Sister Denson

November 8, 2010--It's SO cold down here!!

BRRRRR!! We have been so cold this week! It has been raining and raining and pretty much all we have done this week is walk and bus. It's been fun, but none of us are prepared for it! We don't want to turn the heater on in our apartment yet, so I had to buy an extra blanket for my bed. I didn't want to buy it, but knew it would be good for the coming "winter." So mom, yes, I would like it if you could send me a couple more sweaters. We're going to Plato's Closet today (I've never been before, but the sisters love it) so I'll see if there is anything cheap there.

Just to let you know we will be moving apartments at transfers. I'm pretty sure I'll stay in Nova YSA until February, but I think you'll be able to send packages straight to the apartment. It's just 5 miles east of us. On Broward Blvd and SR 7/441. They're super new apartments and really nice! President Hale kicked the elders out and put them in a dumpy apartment and is putting us sisters in there because the it is more centralized to our work and chapel. The Plantation apartment is clear up in the north west corner of our area. We're working in Ft Lauderdale and Hollywood alot lately.

Like I said in President Hales email we met this cool girl Azley yesterday. I was able to go to the baptism with her and fill her in on things and ask/answer questions. It was so fun. Then she came to the CES Fireside by herself! That's HUGE!! No one does that! She sat with us sisters and as we pulled out our notebooks to take notes she did the same! She was writing the entire time! It was so amazing! I'm excited to meet with her on Friday! I'll for sure let you know how it goes.

This week has still been slow, but we've met some really cool people. We know we are going to be blessed with all the referrals we are finding and sending and with all the people we talk to, but sometimes it's hard to remember that. Heavenly Father is testing our faith right now, and we are all supposed to be learning something, but it just hasnt' happened yet. I know tought that as we stay strong and have a good attitude through the hard times that we will see the blessings come.

My studies have been so great lately! Preach My Gospel is so amazing!! You all need to make it part of your own study. Brother Watson told us that we always need to be studying Chapter 3 because we always need to be able to answer questions for others. And he doesn't mean always as just missionaries, but always for the rest of our lives. With each calling in the Church we have the opportunity to teach. We need to become master teachers.

Maddi--and all of you. You need to watch the CES fireside from last night! It was so good! I want to print it off, but they only have the broadcast online right now. Maybe next week.

Mom, in the box that you are sending can you send those DVD's that we got at Deseret Book at Conference. I assume you guys aren't watching them... if you are, don't worry about it. We just want to watch some of the videos that they added to it. Namely, Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration. The sisters were way excited when I told them the Church released it.

BTW yes, we are in a new trio. Hermana Barros came with us two weeks ago today. She is SO funny! Holy cow I love her. We all laugh SO much everyday and it just makes these hard weeks that much more fun!

Funny Story of the Week: We met God this week. His name is Joshua. He told us that the earth was created by bodily functions. As you can imagine--the land is the poo and the waters are the pee. Haha it was so hard to keep our composure as he was so serioulsy telling us this. He told us that his family wrote the Bible. They travel on the Nile, which is just east of us (as we were standing on Broward Blvd. AKA The A1A) and that he communicates through the television. Oh, and that Christ was crucified in Georgia. Man us missionaries have it all wrong! We're grateful we met him so he could clarify all these things for us.

That was Tuesday; Wednesday was super eventful too. This is how I described Wedesday: We rode 7 buses, walked 5-6 miles, talked to MANY crazy people, a lot of cool people and some very prepared people, our laughs were unlimited and the overall experience? Priceless. Man I love being a missionary!!! Only doing this are we able to have the experiences that we have.

I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the snow! After the weather being down to the 60's this week I am SUPER nervous for February! I FROZE!!!!!!!!

Love, Sister Denson

November 1, 2010--One Slow Week!!

How are you guys??? Other than cold? Nanner nanner! I'm glad I'm not in your position! It's been a beautiful, sunny week! It only rained a couple of days. I believe this today we are officially out of hurricane season. I think.


This week has been slow, but fun. We've done a lot of finding. That's when we have our greatest/most hilarious moments. You NEVER know what kind of person is going to answer the door!! We've taken the bus a lot too. I don't know when it was approved by the mission, but we buy bus passes for the month with our missionary funds, and then they reimburse us. I remember that when we tried that in Snapper Creek President hadn't agreed to it yet. Anyway. So we were on the bus the other day and we talk to all sorts of people. We've found so really AWESOME ones! But we were waiting for the bus and Sister Christensen was like, "I don't think anyone is talking to us because of the way we look. Come on, we're three girls, all blonde hair, blue eyes. We have long 'praire' skirts on, and each of us has a bun in our hair. We look like poligamists!!!" Hahaha it was so funny! You probably had to be there, but just think of it.

We've had a slow week investigator wise. We only have one and she isn't in contact with us right now. She's buffed us on 3 appointments and now her mom is in the hospital, so she is focusing on that. It's tough, but we're learning a lot and have set a lot of goals. Oh, on the 18th of November we get to go teach a theology class at one of the local colleges. Reverand Graff has invited us. He said the elders (the assistants) have done it before, but he wants us sisters to do it this time. He likes the sisters better, but we don't know how or why he likes us better. This'll be the first time sisters go. We're excited! I'll let you know how it goes!

Sorry this is such a short email, but I emailed a lot of different people today and there isn't a lot to reprort on.

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Love, Sister Denson

October 25, 2010--BAPTISMS!!!!!

Hi Guys!

This week has been so fabulous!! We have each (in my companionship) have had the opportunity to apply what we individually learned in zone conference last week and it has definitely helped me grow and has made the continuous transition back a little easier. Does that make sense? I hope so.

Tuesday we had the 2 baptisms of Hannah and Sarah. They are so solid and are both working towards serving missions already!! They came out with us on Friday night and what did we do? Tracting! They were baptized for 3 days and were already out tracting!! It was SO awesome and fun!!!!!! President Hale took Sister Zitting and Sister Crane to a baptism that night (don't ask me why....), so Hermana Lealaogata came to Nova with us and knocked some doors as well. It was a great night!

Last night Hannah came out with us again and we got to teach two awesome girls! Beothie (B. O. T. is how it is pronounced) accepted a date to be baptized on November 23rd. She's excited about the Book of Mormon and to draw closer to God. Yay! Teshea is also excited to read the Book of Mormon and to feel relief. We asked her to describe her feelings after we taught about our modern day prophet and the Book of Mormon. In one word: relieved. Oh my gosh you guys......I LOVE THIS WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seeing peoples demeanor and faith change in a matter of less than an hour is such a testimony builder to me! I love what I do and still want to stay out here for the rest of my life..LOL no, but really, I can't wait to share the gospel for the rest of my life!

It was fun to see Corrine yesterday. I was talking to President Hale and she walked up to me and was like, "Hi Sister Denson! I'm your moms friend!" and proceeded to give me a big hug. LOL she is adorable. It was definitely fun to see her and to have some fresh salsa for lunch! It was delicious! Thanks!

Today we are having a change in our companionship :( This has been the plans since transfer day, but it still makes it a little hard. Sister Zitting is going down/back to Hollywood to the ASL program. Sister Barros, who is there now is joining me and Sister Christensen. I love Sister Barros. She reminds me so much of Jessika.

The other day while we were tracting we ran into two young guys. Tyrell and Robert. They were awesome. Robert just wanted a leader for our day specifically. It was so fun for me to teach him about President Monson and how the Church has been restored in it's fullness. He was one that you were able to be so bold with, and he didn't get offended. Tyrell didn't like it so much, but took it well. We set up an appointment for the Nova elders to teach him Sunday at 4. They went over and he had just gotten home from the hospital. His niece was born preemie and was having a hard time breathing. He remembered his appointment with the elders, so he left the hospital to meet with them. It was so cool! The elders asked why he let the missionaries come back to teach him more and his answer was, "Those girls were so bold about the Church and what they knew, so I just figured if you were that bold and honest about it it has to be a good church!" How cool was that???? I don't want to sound arrogant, but it was me that was so up front with him. Go figure. Me? Upfront? Get outta here. LOL but what's that?? I LOVE THIS WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have another appointment with him tomorrow at the chapel! I'm so excited for him! He's going to do great things!!!!!

 Devon and Sarah

"Baptismal Boy Band" (LOL the white guy's idea)

A more appropriate picture

Look Mom!! I made them journals just like you made them for me!! Aren't you proud??

Hannah's

Sarah's

I love this work so much and I am so grateful for you guys and supporting me in all I do. Each one of you. From the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Sister Denson